Aden (South24 Center)

In a surprise move, security authorities at Aden International Airport arrested Hisham Sharaf Abdullah, former foreign minister of the internationally unrecognized Houthi government, on Wednesday, July 9, as he attempted to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, placing one of the group’s most prominent officials in custody.

Informed government and security sources told ‘South24 Center’ that Sharaf arrived at the airport Wednesday afternoon and was preparing to board a scheduled flight to Addis Ababa when he was stopped in the departure hall by airport security personnel and transferred to the security administration.

No official statement has been issued regarding the incident as of the time of publication.

However, the Houthis condemned the arrest. What is described as the Houthi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the former foreign minister was detained by authorities at Aden International Airport. In a statement published by Houthi media on Wednesday, the group said the arrest of Hisham Sharaf was "a violation of the right to freedom of movement guaranteed by international law," and called for his release.

Who is Hisham Sharaf?

Sharaf is one of the most prominent political figures within the Houthi movement. He served as the group’s foreign minister from 2016 to 2024, playing a key role in defending the group’s political positions and attempting to gain international recognition for their administration.

This arrest comes amid ongoing security incidents involving Houthi leaders outside Sanaa. On Tuesday, July 8, clashes erupted at the Sarfait border crossing with Oman after a senior Houthi official, Mohammed Al-Zaidi, was stopped from attempting to illegally cross into Omani territory.

According to ‘South24’ sources, Houthi-aligned local fighters ambushed a military unit from the Al-Ghaydah Axis in Damqout, Hauf district, killing Colonel Abdullah Zayed, one of the axis’s battalion commanders. Security forces later regained control of the area and temporarily closed the international road.

Earlier, in a separate development, the Houthis attacked the commercial ship ‘Eternity C’ in the southern Red Sea on July 7, resulting in the death of three crew members and injuries to two others, according to Reuters, citing the European Union’s naval mission (ASPIDES).

The vessel, carrying 22 crew members (mostly Filipino nationals), was hit by missiles, drones, and fast boats, approximately 50 nautical miles from Hodeidah port, causing it to lose control and drift.

ASPIDES later confirmed that international rescue teams recovered six crew members who had been stranded at sea following the attack.

The arrest of Hisham Sharaf Abdullah marks a significant blow to the Houthi leadership, and signals increased scrutiny of their movements outside their strongholds. Meanwhile, maritime attacks and border tensions continue to escalate regional instability.